: We have developed a novel fluorine-18 radiotracer, dipeptide 1, radiolabeled in two steps from mesylate 3. The initial radiolabeling is achieved in a short reaction time (10 min) and purified through solid-phase extraction (SPE) with modest radiochemical yields (rcy = 10 ± 2%, n = 5) in excellent radiochemical purity (rcp > 99%, n = 5). The de-protection of the tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) and trityl group was achieved with mild heating under acidic conditions to provide 18F-tagged dipeptide 1. Preliminary analysis of 18F-dipeptide 1 was performed to confirm uptake by peptide transporters (PepTs) in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines Panc1, BxPC3, and ASpc1, which are reported to express the peptide transporter 1 (PepT1) . Furthermore, we confirmed in vivo uptake of 18F-dipeptide tracer 1 using microPET/CT in mice harboring subcutaneous flank Panc1, BxPC3, and Aspc1 tumors. In conclusion, we have established the radiolabeling of dipeptide 1 with fluoride-18, and demonstrated its potential as an imaging agent which may have clinical applications for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinomas.
Keywords: fluorine-18; peptide transporters; positron emission tomography; radiotracer.